Tropical Fever....

Yay- 'Spring' into Summer! With Australia starting to glow with Spring light and warmer days... so time to lighten up the house- change the cushions and throws and bring spring into the home!

Loving bold prints to bring the outdoors in and to brighten up the home... Bold forest prints are fantastic, or if your game go for tropical printed cushions.

Loving the cushions in this nook...



This is from one of my favourite homes- love the rug and bold print couch!



I love these bird cushions...



A fantastic mix of tropical cushions really make this nook look bright and fresh... great place to have a cocktail with friends...



Great way to pick up the colours in your cushions by adding fresh flowers and love that green silk poof!



Occasional chairs are perfect for bold prints without being over whelming!



Add a throw and some cushions to a crisp white bedspread for a tropical feel...



I love these rattan chairs in tropical colours... perfect for a bright tropical feel dining space...




And this idea of painting a tallboy or cheap dresser in green against a white wall in a living room this would look amazing!




Head to Etsy as there are heaps of cushions that you can play with for spring!

This bold printed cushion is great to bring a fresh look to your neutral sofa or chair. kyoozi



I love Owls and these were too cute not to show you! sukanart



I love these geometric cushions in green... this pattern is so popular at the moment! turquoise tumbleweed



Add with a bold print and perfect match!



And love this zebra cushion, the fabric texture is gorgeous! nenavon

Spring Cocktail...

Since spring has sprung- so to speak- it is time to start bringing out the Cocktails!

I am a big fan of an aperitif... My parents when I was growing up used to always have Pimms by the pool or Caprioskas with nibbles before dinner. I loved this time- it was generally a great refreshing way to wet the appetite after a long day and cool down in the balmy Sydney Summer heat!

We generally went through fazes- so Pimms one summer, Dark 'n Stormy's the next depending how we felt.

This Spring / Summer I am liking the Apple Martini! I love a really well made martini- and have been on the hunt for a great recipe for apple martini's... they need to use proper stewed apples, a really good vodka, a hint of cinnamon and should take a couple of days to prepare! No short cuts! (As you can see I take my drinking seriously :) )


Stew 8 granny smith apples cored and skinned with a cinnamon stick, 750ml cloudy apple juice and a table spoon of sugar. Leave to simmer low and slow till the apples dissolve.

Take off stove and leave to cool.

Strain liquid through a sieve with muslin.

Add 1 ltr bottle of 42 below honey.

Leave in fridge for at least a day is not longer!

To serve:

Chill a martini glass and rim with a mix of sugar and cinnamon.

Strain in liquid.

Slice a piece of granny smith apple and float on top.

Enjoy!!!

My island home...

Spring has sprung! In Australia today is the first day of the really long awaited spring- and I am planning to make the most of it. As you might have gathered it is pretty flat chat at work this last month- so I am planning on getting away!

I just love this villa on Bedarra Island (fort hose of you not local to Aus, it is just off the coast in Far North Queensland) which you can take for a week or longer through Contemporary Beach Houses and Villas. It has been remodeled by renowned interior architect Ian Moore and has been featured in Wallpaper, Vogue Living and Belle, not to mention countless books on Luxury Beach Houses and Villas.

The original house was owned by renowned artist Noel Wood in the early 20th Century and when Ian Moore remodeled he kept some of the original features of the house. It features two queen sized beds and the original studio. It is absolute indulgence!

Your own private beach... bliss!



The 'comfortably modernist' interiors to quote Contemporary Hotels themselves...





Outdoor bathing facilities... pour me one now!



Outdoor entertaining- great for cocktails at sunset over looking 'your' beach!



The 'studio'- idyllic isn't it?



I am so going to look into going- hoping not too booked out! If your looking for a week getaway so check out Contemporary Beach Houses and Villas!

Library Love...

I love books. As you will have already worked out I am an avid reader and just as equally an avid collector of books... I love their covers, they way they slightly bend when read thoroughly... I love going into a bookshop and spending 20-30 mins looking at covers, reading their short teasers and picking a new favourite off the shelf. So that is why I think one of the most important things in a house is the way you display your love of books. From tables, to stairs, to shelves, to ladders... there is an art form in arranging your books...

From a designers pallet of colour...



To an amazing floor to ceiling display!



I love it as a backdrop to your dining space...



The Shabby Chic readers nook...



I love the idea of framing a doorway with books!



Beach chic... the use of the full space is fantastic and books go so well with that deer head!



From the casual...



To the designer... Loving that black egg chair!



How amazing would it be to be able to have the space to surround yourself with books! xox